NASHVILLE

Past Nashville Event: VOL 11

VOL 11

February 19, 2014

@
Neuhoff Complex

Join us Wednesday evening, February 19th at the Neuhoff complex for the 11th PKN Nashville! 12 presenters will feature the 6 built environment factors identified in Shaping the Healthy Community: The Nashville Plan, highlighting initiatives and issues we face as our city continues to grow.

PRESENTATIONS FROM THIS EVENT

Manuel Zetlin, Principal Architect at Manuel Zeitlin Architects, aims to build sustainable houses by using natural materials and no chemicals. In one project, his team had to construct an additon for a 1945 brick home using straw bales, which came with its own unique challenges.

Cynthia Lee, director of Outdoor Education at University School of Nashville, shares her Young Naturalists program and encourages us all to take children outside to explore, experience, and connect with the natural world.

Austin Littrell utilizes aquaponics - a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics - to increase use and awareness of urban agriculture. In the wake of industrial agriculture, which often involves genetically modified crops and liberal use of pesticides, we need new techniques to grow accessible, affordable, and healthy food.

Urban designer Ron Yearwood presents the less glamorous parts of Nashville and the negative impacts of poorly designed infrastructure and sprawl. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating crosswalks at busy intersections, and explains that effecting change takes community involvement and participation.

Sarah Johnson, founder and Executive Director of Nashville Grown, presents the current state of local farming in middle Tennessee. She emphasizes the importance of supporting local farms, eating local food, and getting access to better land.

Brian Williams, CEO of Hands on Nashville and president of Go Green Home Services, shares the effort of these two organizations in reducing residential energy usage. He encourages us all to invest in positive economic environmental changes that will benefit the people and community of Nashville.

Gary Gaston, Design Director at the Nashville Civic Design Center, discusses some of the major concepts in the upcoming publication, Shaping Healthy Communities. Issues that are addressed include future transit options for Nashville, access to food, parks and open spaces, and making the city more pedestrian-friendly. He also differentiates betwteen natural, rural, suburban, urban, and the downtown core areas.